Re: CAD CAM Controller software

Jay,

I recommend that you set the machine up with your choice of control
software and do your programming longhand for a while. That way
you'll get a good feel for what you need in a CAM package, plus
you'll get an understanding of programming.

Depending on your work you may not need much if anything in CAM. I
made a good living for almost 3 years off of my first CNC lathe and
mill without CAD or CAM. A friend of mine ran a shop for 12 years
with 4 CNC lathes and no CAD or CAM. Of course, in both of our cases
we had controllers with a good selection of canned cycles. The point
is, most simple work can be programmed right on the shop floor off
drawings.

Currently, I use Vector because it alows me to do the quick and dirty
type coding I like. Mostly I use the machine's canned cycles
interspersed with a little code from Vector once in awhile.

On the rare occasion where a milled part requires 3D contouring I
have to rely on CAM software totally, but in the real world a
production shop usually doesn't see much in 3D contouring.

Doug

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "jbolt001" <js3mc@a...> wrote:
> I'm trying to sort through all the availible software for my
router.
> I'm looking at cnc pro and Master5 for the controller and I use
> AutoCAD 2000. What about the CAM? What do I need/is availible for
> this combination?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jay